A Google expert highlights the top skill that sets successful employees apart.

Some of the world's brightest engineers and executives have been taught how to work smarter by Laura Mae Martin.

As Google's executive productivity advisor, Martin assists employees and C-suite leaders in increasing productivity without sacrificing their well-being.

The most common issue with productivity, she claims, is not missing out on a hack, but rather overloading with work.

Martin believes that the most successful individuals possess a unique skill that sets them apart in the workplace, which is the ability to establish specific, tangible priorities rather than ambiguous, undefined objectives.

Accomplish more with a 3-item priority list

Martin explains that goals can be abstract and distant, while priorities are more specific and immediate, making them easier to accomplish.

Martin believes that a goal could be to obtain a managerial position within the next year, while a priority could be to enhance leadership abilities by volunteering for a team project this quarter.

To achieve the goal of getting promoted, you are prioritizing leading a team project as an immediate, strategic action.

Martin recommends concentrating on three priorities at a time because "most of us can't handle multiple large tasks."

To ensure consistency in following priorities, make a visible list of them, such as on a Post-it note on your laptop or a recurring reminder in your calendar.

To prevent confusion or conflict, Martin recommends discussing your top three priorities with your teammates and manager.

Manage distractions

Other minor tasks, such as organizing your email or scheduling a meeting, may arise in addition to visualizing tasks as rocks, pebbles, and sand in a jar, as Martin suggests.

Prioritize big tasks before filling in smaller ones.

Before getting sidetracked by anything "urgent," consider whether the tasks align with your priorities and could benefit your career long-term.

In some cases, you may need to shift your focus due to a client emergency or an assignment from your boss. However, in other cases, declining an unnecessary calendar invite or politely refusing to assist a co-worker on a task can help you stay focused and accountable for the work you already have on your plate.

Say 'no'

Martin emphasizes the importance of learning to say "no" as part of prioritization.

Balancing the need to protect your time and maintain positive relationships with colleagues can be challenging. At times, you must prioritize being a team player. Other times, you may have too much on your plate or the task may not align with your interests or priorities.

"Martin, who is recovering from being a yes-sayer, found it challenging to say "no" because he wanted to maintain social capital. However, he realized that it is worse to overcommit and underdeliver."

The best way to decline an invitation is to provide a specific reason for not being able to attend or to first inform the requester that you need to consider your response.

• "I'm excited to learn about your new project. Please let me know what level of commitment I can offer, considering my current priorities."
• "Although I see Amy from my team is already attending this meeting and has more context, I won't be attending."

"Martin emphasizes the importance of supporting and respecting colleagues while also protecting priorities, as time is a limited resource."

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